Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez ended the MLS regular season in stunning fashion – but they could not topple Christian Benteke.
The two Inter Miami stars were at their sublime best during a 6-2 win over New England Revolution, which saw David Beckham’s franchise record the highest points tally in MLS history (74).
Messi and Suarez showed their enduring class on Saturday nightGetty
Messi bagged an 11-minute hat-trick, while Suarez registered two goals and two assists, as the Barcelona icons created their own piece of history.
With 20 goals each for the 2024 campaign, Miami became the first MLS team with two players to reach that tally in one regular season.
It is all the more impressive considering Messi missed a number of matches through injury.
However, both the Argentina superstar and Suarez were beaten to the Golden Boot award by former Premier League striker Benteke.
The ex-Aston Villa, Liverpool and Crystal Palace frontman netted 23 times as D.C United finished tenth and missed out on the play-offs.
Benteke, now 33-years old, was responsible for a staggering 44 per cent of his team’s goals.
The Belgian has been a massive hit in the States since leaving Palace for D.C United in a £4.5million deal back in 2022, scoring 38 goals in 68 games.
Benteke spent ten years in English football after joining Villa from Genk in a deal worth £7m in 2012.
He became a cult hero at Villa Park during a stunning three-year spell, which saw Liverpool meet his £32.5m release clause to sign him in 2015.
However, despite being the Reds’ second-most expensive player in history at the time, Benteke lasted only one season at Anfield before joining Crystal Palace for £27m in 2016.
Benteke scored more league goals than Messi and Suarez in 2024Getty
He spent six years at Selhurst Park and left England with 86 Premier League goals to his name from 280 appearances.
While Benteke’s MLS season is over, Messi and Suarez now head into the playoffs to try and claim Miami’s first-ever MLS Cup.
After finishing top of the Eastern Conference, Beckham’s side have already lifted the Supporters’ Shield and also booked their place in the 2025 Club World Cup.
But their season will be defined between now and December 7, as the form of Messi and Suarez make them overwhelming favourites to go all the way.
